The Belmont Stakes: Traditions, Invitations, and Party Ideas

Belmont Stakes Party Invitations

Get the race started with fabulous party invitations that get your guests enticed and excited to attend your party.

Past Horses Going for the Triple Crown at Belmont

There have been 14 horses who have won the first two Triple Crown races since 1970 but have failed to win the Belmont, the final race of the Triple Crown.
2014:  California Chrome
2012:  I'll Have Another
2008:  Big Brown
2004:  Smarty Jones
2003:  Funny Cide
2002:  War Emblem
​1999:  Charismatic
1998:  Real Quiet
1997:  Silver Charm
1989:  Sunday Silence
1987:  Alysheba
1981:  Pleasant Colony
1979:  Spectacular Bid
1971:  Canonero II

List of Triple Crown Winners

2015:  American Pharoah
​1978: Affirmed
1977: Seattle Slew
1973: Secretariat
1948: Citation
1946: Assault
1943: Count Fleet
​1941: Whirlaway
1937: War Admiral
1935: Omaha
1930: Gallant Fox
1919: Sir Barton

The Belmont Stakes Trophy

The Belmont Stakes Trophy is a silver bowl made by Tiffany that celebrates the heritage and history of the race. Donated by the Belmont family, it stands 18 inches high, 15 inches across and 14 inches at the base. The first Belmont winner of 1869, Fenian, is on the top cover and three horses Matchen (1748), Herod (1758) or Eclipse (1764), are on the base. In order to be considered a thoroughbred, a horse must be able to trace it's lineage back to one of the three sires: Matchen, Herod or Eclipse. 

Belmont Jewel Cocktail featuring Woodford Reserve

  • 1.5 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
  • 2 oz Lemonade
  • 1 oz Pomegranate Juice
     Shake vigorously with ice and serve in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with red cherry or lemon twist. 
Makes 1 drink.

Belmont Stakes Traditions and History

The Belmont Stakes, known as “The Test of Champions” is the final race that makes up the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The race is run in early June, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby and two weeks after the Preakness Stakes.  The winning horse and jockey are draped with a blanket of white carnations.

In 1997-1998, the race under went some major changes:
  • The White Carnation the traditional drink of the Belmont, was replaced with the Belmont Breeze
  • To appeal to a younger crowd, the traditional theme song “Sidewalks of New York” was changed to “New York, New York”
  • The Belmont tradition of painting the colors of the winner’s silks on a four foot tall cast iron horse and jockey on the fence around the paddock began. 
  • If the Belmont winner also happens to be the winner of the Triple Crown, the cast iron statute is moved to a permanent position on the fence with the other Triple Crown winners

Belmont Facts:

  • Long Island's Belmont Park in Elmont, New York is the site of the Belmont Stakes
  • First run in 1867, it is the oldest of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
  • The Belmont is also known as "The Run for the Carnations"
  • The Belmont predates the Preakness by six years
  • The Belmont predates the Kentucky Derby by eight years
  • It is the longest continuously run race in North America
  • There is a 300 year old white pine tree in the paddock area
  • August Belmont and Leonard W. Jerome were behind the first running of the race and helped found the American Jockey Club. (Jerome's daughter is Winston Churchill's mother.)  
  • The Jockey Club is the breed registry for all thoroughbreds in North America

Secretariat Triple Crown Winner at The Belmont Stakes

Secretariat, nicknamed "Big Red" won the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown in 1973, 25 years after the 1948 win of Citation. He set race records that still stand today: The Kentucky Derby (1:59.4),. The Preakness (1:53) and The Belmont Stakes (2:24). 

The White Carnation Cocktail of the Belmont Stakes

Refreshing and an creamy color to match the white carnations of the winner's white carnation blanket.
  • 2 oz. Vodka
  • 1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
  • 2 oz. Orange Juice
  • 1/2 oz. Soda or Club Soda (more if you prefer)
  • Splash of Cream
  • Crushed ice
Stir liquors, orange juice and soda together and pour over ice in a highball glass. Splash cream over top. Garnish with an orange slice. Makes 1 drink.

The Belmont Breeze Cocktail of the Belmont Stakes

The new Belmont Breeze Cocktail replaced the White Carnation
  • 1 1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
  • 1/2 oz Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
  • splash of orange juice
  • splash of cranberry juice
  • Lemon-lime soda
  • Soda water or club soda
  • 5 mint leaves
  • 1 mint sprig
  • 1 strawberry
  • 1 orange or lemon slice
Combine first seven ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into chilled glass. Top off with lemon-lime soda and soda water. Garnish with fresh mint sprig and orange or lemon slice, mint spring and strawberry. Makes 1 drink.
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